India's convicted sex offenders will have their names, photographs and addresses published, in a highly controversial measure by the government to tackle growing anger after a series of high-profile sex attacks in the country.

Protests have been ongoing since the brutal gang rape of a Delhi student on a local bus by six men, leaving her hospitalised with serious internal injuries.

Medics describe her condition as "critical" and she has been moved to a specialist hospital in Singapore.

Indian students protesting against the gang-rape of a student in a moving bus

As someone who dreaded the daily onslaught of revolting stares, lewd gestures and 'accidental' brush of the passing male on public transport, while growing up in big city India, I for one, fully support the Indian government's move to name and shame sex offenders.

I realise that to the Western world, this seems like an open invitation to vigilantism, but extreme times like now - when men accused of sexual violence still go ahead and stand for elections in India - call for extreme measures.

This may just be the most powerful deterrent to the perpetrators, for what it ensures is loss of face and lack of a future - both extremely important in Indian society - for the violators and something that not even the fear of a death sentence delivers.

For too long has the common woman in India lived like second-class citizens. It is time we were treated like the very goddesses so revered in Indian culture and tradition.

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Indian demonstrators sit in front of a barricade as they listen to a speaker address them in New Delhi on December 28, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. An Indian gang-rape victim was 'struggling against the odds' to survive after suffering a heart attack and brain injuries, as medics criticised a decision to fly her to Singapore. In a bulletin issued the day after her arrival in Singapore, doctors at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital said the 23-year-old was battling an infection in her lungs and remained critically ill after the December 16 assault in Delhi. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN (Photo credit should read RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian police officials stand alert behind a barricade which covered by a banner calling for capital punishment againt rape in New Delhi on December 28, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. An Indian gang-rape victim was 'struggling against the odds' to survive after suffering a heart attack and brain injuries, as medics criticised a decision to fly her to Singapore. In a bulletin issued the day after her arrival in Singapore, doctors at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital said the 23-year-old was battling an infection in her lungs and remained critically ill after the December 16 assault in Delhi. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN (Photo credit should read RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian police officials stand alert behind a barricade which covered by a banner calling for capital punishment againt rape in New Delhi on December 28, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. An Indian gang-rape victim was 'struggling against the odds' to survive after suffering a heart attack and brain injuries, as medics criticised a decision to fly her to Singapore. In a bulletin issued the day after her arrival in Singapore, doctors at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital said the 23-year-old was battling an infection in her lungs and remained critically ill after the December 16 assault in Delhi. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN (Photo credit should read RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

An Indian protester shouts slogans as he is stopped by police during a protest against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Indians protesting against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, display a poster calling for death penalty for offenders at a rally in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Some of the Indian policemen, center, sports two wheeler helmets as they stand near barricades and stop protesters on their way to India Gate while protesting against a gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)

An Indian police officer, left, sports a cricket helmet as policemen stand near barricades and stop protesters on their way to India Gate while protesting against a gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)

Indian students protesting against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, take out a rally in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. Poster at left reads: We wont tolerate Taliban style functioning, death sentence is not the solution, change attitude and prevailing male domination. Poster in the background at right reads: We will wrest our rights in the society, labor and state. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Underprivileged Indians watch a protest against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

An Indian protester shouts slogans as he is stopped by police during a protest against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

An Indian protester holds a placard during a protest against a recent gang rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Indian police stand guard in front of a barricade as protesters march towards them during a protest against a recent gang rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Policemen stand near barricades as they prepare to stop protesters on their way to India Gate while demonstrating against the gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)

An Indian protester shouts slogans during a protest against the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Indian protesters listen to a speaker during a protest against a recent gang rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A young Indian girl clings to the saree of her mother as she participates in a protest against the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Indian protesters shout slogans while demonstrating against the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Indian protesters shout slogans as they demonstrate against the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries.(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Policemen stop protesters from approaching a barricade on their way to India Gate while protesting against the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)

Indian protesters hold placards as they protest against a recent gang rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Indian protesters shout slogans while demonstrating against the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Indian protesters hold placards as they protest against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Indian women hold placards as they protest against the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)

Indian women shout slogans as they protest against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)

Policemen stop protesters from approaching a barricade on their way to India Gate while protesting against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)

Policemen stop protesters from approaching a barricade on their way to India Gate while protesting against the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)

Policemen stop protesters from approaching a barricade on their way to India Gate while protesting against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young rape victim was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)

Kashmiri Sikh students protesting against a brutal gang-rape of a woman on a bus last week in New Delhi, shout slogans in Srinagar, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young victim of a gang rape on a New Delhi bus was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri Sikh students protesting against the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a bus last week in New Delhi, shout slogans in Srinagar, India, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young victim of a gang rape on a New Delhi bus was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Indian members of NGO 'Aastha' hold placards as they march during a protest in Mumbai on December 27, 2012, for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)

An Indian woman walks past a billboard, calling for capital punishment against rape, in New Delhi on December 27, 2012. An Indian student who was left fighting for her life after being brutally gang raped on a bus in New Delhi arrived December 27 in Singapore for treatment at a leading hospital. The attack sparked a wave of protests across India in which a policeman died and more than 100 police and protestors were injured. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN (Photo credit should read RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Female commuters ride a scooter past a billboard, calling for capital punishment against rape, in New Delhi on December 27, 2012. An Indian student who was left fighting for her life after being brutally gang raped on a bus in New Delhi arrived December 27 in Singapore for treatment at a leading hospital. The attack sparked a wave of protests across India in which a policeman died and more than 100 police and protestors were injured. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN (Photo credit should read RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian members of NGO 'Aastha' hold placards during a protest in Mumbai on December 27, 2012, for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian members of NGO 'Aastha' hold placards during a protest in Mumbai on December 27, 2012, for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)

Kashmiri Sikh students shout slogans and hold placards as they take part in a protest in Srinagar on December 27, 2012, following the rape of a student in the Indian capital on December 16. An Indian student who was left fighting for her life after being brutally gang raped on a bus in New Delhi arrived December 27 in Singapore for treatment at a leading hospital. The attack sparked a wave of protests across India in which a policeman died and more than 100 police and protestors were injured. AFP PHOTO/Tauseef MUSTAFA (Photo credit should read TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian police officials stand behind a barrier as demonstrators move towards India Gate in New Delhi on December 27, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian members of NGO 'Aastha' hold placards during a protest in Mumbai on December 27, 2012, for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian members of NGO 'Aastha' hold placards during a protest in Mumbai on December 27, 2012, for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)

An Indian policeman uses a megaphone to direct demonstrators as they move towards India Gate in New Delhi on December 27, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian policemen stand on a closed road leading towards India Gate in New Delhi on December 27, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)

An Indian demonstrator holds a placard during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital, in New Delhi on December 27, 2012. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN (Photo credit should read RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

An Indian demonstrator holds a placard during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital, in New Delhi on December 27, 2012. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN (Photo credit should read RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian demonstrators shout slogans and wave placards as they move towards India Gate in New Delhi on December 27, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian demonstrators shout slogans and wave placards as they move behing a banner towards India Gate in New Delhi on December 27, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian demonstrators shout slogans and wave placards as they move towards India Gate in New Delhi on December 27, 2012, during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. Protests across India over the last week against sex crimes have denounced the police and government, with the largest in New Delhi at the weekend prompting officers to cordon off areas around government buildings. One policeman was killed and more than 100 people injured in the violence. AFP PHOTO/SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)